Labeling-machine.



F. 0. WOODLAND.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED $113.18, 1907.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Jzzw/ezziar P. 0. WOODLAND. LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB.1's, 1907.

Patented Oct. 13,1908.

3 BHEETSSHEET 2 P. 0. WOODLAND.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FIL'HD'PEB. 1a, 1907.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

s SHEETS-SHEET a Irv/ah far;

' Mi -5sda/ Q M omit-ED STATES PATENT onmon.

FRANK O. WOODLAND, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

LABELI G-Muffins.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

-' Application filed February 18, 1907. .Serial No. 357,804. I

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, FRANK O. WOODLAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements inLabeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing madetherein to the accompanying drawings.

My present invention pertains to bottle labeling machines adaptedforsimultane ouslyaffixing a plurality of-labels," as the body labelsand neck labels, and moreparticularly relates to improvements in meansfor the temporarylgrippingor clamping of the respective labels to retainthemcentrally and longitudinally against the face of the-bot- 7 the asthey arebrought to the bottleby the pair, or pairs, of plates or lue-aore, from the label-supp iy 'ho livered at their appropriate positionsto be wiped-on by means of suitable wipers or smoothing appliances; I

In the practice of double'or plural labeliiig (plying pickr of bottles,which includes the simultaneous a'liixment of a label or labels uponthebody of the bottle, anda separate label upon the neck of the bottle,the Wide range ofvaria-' tions in the styles and proportions amongbottles is suchthat a single-acting grip or clamping device, covering'aplurality of labels, or clam devices having a sin le carrier with twoyie dable presser-pads, will not suc- -cessfully operate beyond alimited range of variations in the bottle 'shapes; some bottles beingmade With large bodies and small necks; others with small bodiesand-large necks; others with long neck and long shoulder; or short neckand abrupt shoulder; or

and variable operation of its grip-devices for and hereinafter more fuly er, and de represented this improved label the invention, an

' use thereof as within the scope of myclaims.

'1 lg said grip-devices with hires;

Another objc sta to provide nalabelingg, machine designed for dual orplurallabeling, :1 compiouml plural or dual label-gripping mechanismadapted for individual efficient enerally com'r-iselzak-su ort' or rest-O *on" g 7 PP e B is'placed; a label-supply lty accommodating bottles ofdifferently proortioned shapes. Also, to provide a dual abel-grippingmeans having independently operating simultaneously actuatedgripmembers, and facilities for regulating the relative. action ofthesame, as may be required under thevaried conditions, or differentrelative proportions in the work.

Another object is to provide a grip-device for the purpose named, withfacilities for ready exchange of the gri -finger; whereby fingers ofdifferent form or ength can be conveniently'substituted in place of eachother when desired, Without disturbing the fingeractuating connections.

These objects I attain by mechanism, thenature and mode of operation ofwhich is illustrated in the accom anyin drawings expiained; thearticular subject matter claimed as of my invention being definitelyexpressed in the summary. i

In the drawings, Figure 1' represents a side viewbfsuch parts of abottle labeling machine as will show the nature 'ofthe inven-. tion.Fig. 2 isaside elevation View of a label grip mechanism embodying mynven.

tion, the action bein indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a pfan'v'ie wof the same showing the relation therewith of picker plates and wipers;and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional detail view ofineans for joiningtwo grip-o crating connection rods with an actu ating ever. v

In the accompanying drawings I have ripping means as adapted for use ina labe ing machine of the kind substantially suchas that described in anapplication for Letters; Patent, Serial No.=197,485 heretofore filed byme; but the invention herein set forth can be applied to use in otherstyles of labeling machines without de artiire from the s irit of d Idesire to inclu e,such

, On the drawings, the reference letter A denotes portions of themachine frame, which maybe a suitable construction for supporting thevarious operating mechanisms; which which the bott holder H adaptedforcontainin a plura of packs of labels, as I' and L, an for deliveringseparate labels from each pack a pair, or airs, of reciprocatingly,movable glueapp ying pickers or plates P that take the 1 ing suitabcentral longitudinal relation to the cylinlabels from the supply holderand present them at the osition for affixment in proper relation to thebottle lying upon the rest; suitable means (not shown) for spreadingglue upon the picker-faces; and oppositely arranged reciprocating wipersD D or means for smoothing down the ends of the label for permanentlyaffixing the same at its position to the bottle or article labeled.

The parts above named, and the means for imparting motion thereto, canbe made, in construction and operation, similar to the mechanismsdescribed in m T previous application for Letters Patent, Serial N 0.197,485, or of other suitable construction capable of feeding, gluing,placing and Wiping on a plurality of labels, dually or simultaneously,at each complete cycle of the machine.

The general actuating parts of the labeling machine that are not hereinshown, while they are necessary in practice, are not essentials of mypresent improvement, which relates especially to peculiarities inlabel-gripping means and the combinationsthereof with l the co-actingelements for the purposes herein specified.

In accordance with my invention the gripdevice for the neck-label andthe grip-device for the body-label are made as separately controllable,individual, or independently operatin members, while arranged to act ina genera manner in conjunction with each other, and for simultaneous orvaried efl'ect; whereby the gripping means is rendered efficient andpractically applicable to a wide variety of bottle shapes.

As indicated in the drawings, I provide a primary or central lever orfinger 12 carrying the body-label grip-pad 2 and a second lever orbifurcated finger 13 for carrying the necklabel grip pad 3, both leversarranged to swing from and to the bottle, bringing their respectivegrip-pads in contact therewith in and the respective grip-devices. Inthe )resent instance, as shown in Fig. 1, the mechanism comprises aswinging lever 17 fulcrumed at 18 and moved by a suitable revolving cam19 on an operating shaft 20. Upon opposite sides of said lever areadjustable members or slide-blocks 21 and 22 fitted thereon withintermatching grooves and flanges, and retained at adjustments byset-screws s or equivalent fastenings. The rearward arms of thegrip-finger heads 5 and 6 are respectively connected with the blocks 21and 22 by the rods 15 and 16. The rods are provided with telescopingcoupling members 25 and 26 pivoted to the blocks at 2.3 and 21. Springs27 and 28 are provided to press upward against collars 29 and 30, adjustably the rod for normally keeping the rod at full extension, with thestop pins t against the guide sleeve of the coupling piece, and to alsoafford a yieldable pressure for the gripmembers when they strike thebottle. By adjustment of the collars 29 and 30 a higher or lower workingposition of the gripping member is attained; and by adjustment or" theblocks 21 or 22 011 lever 17, the throw of the individual grip-devicescan be varied as desired; independent operation and regulation of thegrip, upon the respective labels, ailords ready accommodation of themeans to the different conditions of work that occur in practice.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a-means of hinging the connection rods 15and 16 to the heads of the grip-fingers in a manner which affordsfacilities for regulating the working length of the connection-rods,thereby giving higher or lower positions to the respective grippingmembers independently. in this a hinging member provided with a sleeve32 is pivoted to the arm of the grip-iinger head, and the connection-rodis fitted with a threaded end that extends through the sleeve 32 and isretained therein by nuts 35 and 36, above and below, that abut againstthe ends of the sleeve, and can be turned up or down to adjust the rodtherein.

In the operation of the mechanism as shown, plates or pickers P, whichare attached to suitable carriers K, have motion to and from the labelholder H. Their faces are coated with glue from the glue supply G by amoving roller (not shown) in the manner heretofore racticed, so that thepickers will take a labelfrom each pack I and L and bring them, asindicated by dotted lilies, to the bottle, placing them inproperpositions, as at i and Z,'fo'r atlixment to the same. Thegrip-devices are then respectively brought drical surface thereof.

A numeral 4 indicates a fulcrum pin or axis pivotally connecting thegrip -finger heads 5 and 6 with an ear 8 formed upon or attached to theframe A. Separate links or connections are provided for operating the Iseveral gri -members; said connections be- 5 y combined with therespective finger-heads. The fingers 12 and 13 are best made separablefrom their pivoting heads 5 and 6, and are detachably secured theretorespectively by a projectingseat and screwbolt,' a'sat 7 i and 9, sothat the fingers can be readily exchanged i'orothers' of different formwhen desired; thus permitting the use of a variety of shapes to suitdifl'erent lengghs into position between the plates P for indioi work.-vidually gripping the labels 'b and I rent rallv As a preferred meansfor independently j and longitudinallyof thebotlIesurf'arelnildoperating the grip-devices, 1 provide variable 4 ingthe same in their places \\'illl( (he pickers connections with means forregulating the retreat and ihe wipers I) and l) npproarh relativeadjustment and action of said parts 1 and wipe on. the ends of l herespective labels.

iixed on' as will be readily understood by persons skilled in this art,When they have performed their work the grip-devices swing out of thepath ofrlabel feed, as indicated by dotted lines '12 and '13 on Fig. 2.

I am aware that a'grip-device capable of simultaneously clamping twolabels to a bottle has heretofore been made, and in which the twocontact pads are attached to'a single carrier member and both operatedby the same movement, and without individually controlled car "eraction; but such prior mechanism does not elieet results such asattained by my invention, and I do not claim, broadly, the mereemployment of' two contact pads. g By independently operating thegrip-devices I am enabled to successfully accommodate bottles of variousproportions and sizes, in plural or dual labeling, without other changethan adjustment of the throw of one of the devices in respect to the 'dthe bottle-rest; also, to give the pressure, or action, to

other, an

desired amount-of while they work in 00* the feed.

each or either gri in practicingmy invenactive re ation wit I am awarethat tion and applying'it tolabeling machines of varied constructions,changes indetails may be made by those skilled in the art, withoutdeparting from the nature and scope of the invention as expressed in theclaims; therefore I do not wish-to be limited to the particular formsand proportions hercin'shown.

What I claim and ters Patent is ,1 1. In a bottle labeling machine, incombination with means for gluing and placing a body labeland a necklabel in position for affixment to a bottle, a grip-device for the bodylabel, a separate grip-device for the neck label, and an operating meansconnected therewith for imparting an independent movement to therespective grip-devices to and from the bottle.

2. In a bottle-labeling machine adapted for simultaneously placing aplurality of labels and affixing the same, .a plurality of separatelyacting, individually controlled grip-devices for respectively retainingthe several labels against the bottle preparatory to their permanentaliixment to a bottle.

3. In a bottle-labelinglmachine, a set of label-carrying plates orpickers that bring the labels into position against the neck SLIM bodyof the bottle for being aflixed, and a plurality of label-holdinggrip-devices that act between said plates for synchronously clampingtherespective labels individually to the bottle, and means forindependently imparting movement to the respective gripdevices. I, a

4. In a bottle-labeling machine, in combi nation with a stationarybottle supporting rest, a label-supply holder deliveringlabels relationor desire to secure by Let-' p dividual gripdevices, and independentlyconnected devices for separately moving said grip-devices.

5. In a bottle-labeling machine, the com-- bination with a stationarybottle-supporting rest, a label-supply holder delivering labels from aplurality of packs, and glue-applying pickers adapted for placin' 'aplurality of labels for attachment toa ottle laid upon said rest; oflabel-gripping means comprising a plurality of individual grip-fingers,independent connections for moving the separate grip-fingers, and meansfor varying the working relation or motion of said grip-fingers inrespect to each other and to the bottle supporting rest. p

6. In combination with a plurality of oppositely disposed plates thatgum and bring a plurality of labels into positions adjacent to the neckand body of the ofgrip-members that enter between said plates forclamping the respective labels centrally and longitudinally of thebottle, a

separate carrier or finger for each grip member, an independent actuatorconnection for each carrier and its grip-member, and means forseparately adjusting or regulating the relative movements of therespective grip= actuator connections. Y A

7. In a bottle-labeling machine, in combination with, a stationarybottle-rest, means for gluing, simultaneously delivering, and wiping-ona plurality of labels to a bottle or the like; a pair of independentlyacting levers each carrying a device for retaininga label central andlon itudinally adjacent to the face of the bott e while being wiped onor affixed, connections inde endently controlglue-ap lying lin saidlevers and labe -r'etaining devices,

an meansfor eliecting and regulating a degree of difierential movementofsaid levers in relation to each other.

8. In a labeling machine, in combination, a pluralityof grip-devicefingers or levers pivotally supported to swing to and from the labelsplaced on the body and neck of the bottle, separate connecting-iodsindependently connected with said grip-device levers, adjusting meanscoinbinediwith said connection -rods for working relation of thegrip-devices with respect to the shape of the bottle, and means forimparting motion to the connection-rods.

l) in rmnbination, a plural-iced bottomdelivery label-holder, means fortransferring a plurality of labels l'roln said label-holder intopositions against the bottle for allixinent thereto, means for severallyand independently clamping lengthwise of the bottle, and means forindividually contrrrlling the operative moveindividually regulating thev the labels centrally nections for severally operatin fingers, meansfor ment and pressure of said label-clamping head, a fulcrum pivottherefor, a grip-finger devices. attached to said pivoting-head, aconnecting- 10. In a bottlelaheling machine, a plural joint-memberhaving a sleeve hinged to said label-gripping means comprising an innergrip-finger, an outer bifurcated grip-finger, pivoting means for saidfingers, separate consaid gripi 2 extending through said sleeve andhaving varying the a justment of nuts threaded thereon above and belowthe sleeve, for the purpose set forth.

14. In a bottle-labeling machine, a lahelgripping means comprisingfinger-pivoting-heads, fulcrum pivoting means therefor, a plurality ofgrip-devices respectively detachably secured to said pivoting-heads,connections for severally operthe connections, and means for actuatingthe said connectio 11. In a bottle-labeling machine, a labelgrippingmeans consisting of a lever comprising a pivoting member, and a fin erportion detachably secured thereto, an a pad carried upon saiddetachable finger portion for contact with the label.

12. In a bottle-labeling machine, a label gripping means comprising afinger-pivoting head, afulcrum pivot therefor, a gri -finger detachablysecured to said pivotin ead, a contact-pad carried upon said gripnger,an

slidable coupling member and a yicldahhi extension spring, an operatinglover, a separate pivoting means for each of said connections adjustablysecured to said operating lever, and means for actuating said lever, forthe purpose set forth.

Witness my hand this 15th da of Februoperating connection jointed tosaid pivotary, 1907. ing-head, and means. for afi'ording a yielding FHANK 0. WOODLAN I). action for said connection. Witnesses:

13. In a bOttIe IabeIing machine, a label- On'as. H. BURLEIGII, grippingmeans'comprising a finger-pivoting- M. F, MoMaHoN.

pivoting-head, an actuating conncction rod a plurality of ating saidgrip-devices, each provided with a

